What the **** ???
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Vancouver
What the **** ???
I arrived back in Canada in late January from a lifetime of flying overseas and have lots of good time on B747-767-757s and looking for any job here. Twin Otters C185s-Beavers etc etc etc.
But there appears to be absolutely nothing out there. Am I blacklisted I wonder or is this about the worst time ever to be looking for a job in Canada.
Any comments please !!!!
But there appears to be absolutely nothing out there. Am I blacklisted I wonder or is this about the worst time ever to be looking for a job in Canada.
Any comments please !!!!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 179
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From: Expatsylvania
Welcome back to North America. It sounds like you've managed to avoid the bloodbath until now. To put it simply, you quite literally could not have found a worse time to look for a flying job here.
On the plus side, it's nothing personal!
On the plus side, it's nothing personal!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 763
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From: out there somewhere...
Welcome back! Sadly it's a seriously bad time to test the waters...been there done that and left again. Much the same flight experience, heavy jet, worldwide yadayadayada, no one wants to put you in the seat of anything worthwhile, as it's widely believed that you know too much about how it really works (duty days etc) and that after they train you up, you'll simply leave for a much better job. (Of which there are almost none) You will be competing against non nationals who are filling seats that should have a Canuck bum in them. True, Westjet is looking, and by most accounts is an ok place to work, but if you are expecting any DEC jobs, forget it, they arent there...At least not for guys like you.(possibly over qualified) KAL hires Canadian/ American pilots, as well as some Chinese operators. If you have decent command on the equipment you mention, you may stand a chance with them. To be honest, if I was you that's where I would look...but if you simply wanted to end up finishing a career in a Beaver etc, it's a long slog...maybe check out the corporate scene. Best of luck...
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18
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From: motel6
same here !!!!!!!!!!!
Mid East,Asia,Europe and USA.22,000 hr 747,pic,G 11,etc.
Nothing here pal,frustrating.Its all in who you know qualifications mean little.Also 20 years behind in attitude and professionalism.
Join me as I give after a year and am returning to expat work never to return !!!!
Nothing here pal,frustrating.Its all in who you know qualifications mean little.Also 20 years behind in attitude and professionalism.
Join me as I give after a year and am returning to expat work never to return !!!!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,306
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From: Canada
You might be looking in the wrong places, if you know how to manage an aircraft{sked the maint, arange eAPIS, wash it, buy fuel at best price,flight plan, deal with TC and all the other stuff} you might like to find an aircraft used in corporate but in the POC/Private catorgory, its what I do in my dotage and have never had so much fun or been so well rewarded for it, PM me if you are serious.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 12
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From: Vancouver
Thanks all for the info
Thanks very much guys, for the information. All comments were exactly what I've been experiencing in my never ending search for employment in Canada.
Nice to hear that it's nothing personal as I was seriously beginning to wonder.
As for going back out there in the big bad world, I'm really trying to re-establish here but am starting to read the writing on the wall and staying at my mom and dads place is wearing awfully thin...
So good luck to the rest of you..and thanks again for the comments.
Nice to hear that it's nothing personal as I was seriously beginning to wonder.
As for going back out there in the big bad world, I'm really trying to re-establish here but am starting to read the writing on the wall and staying at my mom and dads place is wearing awfully thin...
So good luck to the rest of you..and thanks again for the comments.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 48
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From: Canada
So you got lots of time on 747 and such and your looking for a job on a Twin Otter or Beaver eh.
How much time do you have flying low down in the clag on floats or landing on sand bars in a twin otter or alike? Lots of guys with tons of hours doing that exact work wich is far different than what your resume has are looking for work two and their resume will be first to be called before a 747 757 pilot.
How much time do you have flying low down in the clag on floats or landing on sand bars in a twin otter or alike? Lots of guys with tons of hours doing that exact work wich is far different than what your resume has are looking for work two and their resume will be first to be called before a 747 757 pilot.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 36
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From: europe
".....exact work wich is far different than what your resume has are looking for work two and their resume will be first to be called before a 747 757 pilot."
Some people will never learn two write properly, let alone answer a simple question without snarkiness. Good luck to you, Vicky69...I hear Air Transat is hiring, check their website.
Some people will never learn two write properly, let alone answer a simple question without snarkiness. Good luck to you, Vicky69...I hear Air Transat is hiring, check their website.
Last edited by faireydelta; 22nd February 2010 at 06:15.
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 257
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scudrunner,
Have you ever considered that those of us now Captains on large jets did at one time pay our dues in the bush???
Want to swap stories?? 
As a Canadian working overseas..........a little advice to the small d*cked, red-necked, Tim Horton coffee slurping, dirty baseball cap wearing, 4x4 driving......unhelpfull pilots on this BB......Chill...its all good...spread some happiness.
Have you ever considered that those of us now Captains on large jets did at one time pay our dues in the bush???
Want to swap stories?? As a Canadian working overseas..........a little advice to the small d*cked, red-necked, Tim Horton coffee slurping, dirty baseball cap wearing, 4x4 driving......unhelpfull pilots on this BB......Chill...its all good...spread some happiness.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 48
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From: Canada
Lets go over this again:
so you got lots of time on 747 and such and your looking for a job on a Twin Otter or Beaver eh.
How much time do you have flying low down in the clag on floats or landing on sand bars in a twin otter or alike?
Lots of guys with tons of hours doing that exact work wich is far different than what your resume has are looking for work two and their resume will be first to be called before a 747 757 pilot.
Some people will never learn two write properly, let alone answer a simple question without snarkiness.
Aileron, Of course I have considered this and will swap stories with you anytime but perhaps a "retired airline pilot" would be perceived as being old and out of shape manicured airline type looking at their time flying in the bush through rose coloured glasses and thus not the best candidate to chuck drums of fuel and drill rod into a beaver in the minds of a CP or Owner of a lodge. I believe that's the reason this resume isn't getting any action.
Finally Vicky,
My advice would be to do a good old fashioned road trip not only to meet the people so they see your serious and talk to you face to face but it will get you out of your parents house and in tune with the type of aviation you want to get back into. When one has a stacks of experienced resumes with current PPC's or Type ratings for competition you need an edge, you show up looking fit and ready to roll drums and get dirty they won't just bin your "747 big jet jock resume" your being looked at as someone who will just leave as soon as they get that call back to the big jets.
Trust me that's whats going on with your job search, I see it all the time a "Airline Resume" comes across the desk asking for a job on a King Air etc and that's what the perception is that they will just take off as soon as the Airlines start hiring again.
Well off to Timmy ho's in my 4X4 to grab a coffee on the way to the Rifle range, Sure hope I don't slam my dick in the door again that hurt.
Last edited by ScudRunner08; 24th February 2010 at 04:09.
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 370
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From: united arab emirates
Hey Scud
There are many Airline Jocks who were bush pilots with thousands of hours of scud running / short field / charter/ relief opps / medevac/ floats/ bla bla bla. Sure they might not be current but have certainly demonstrated and do possess the ability.
They have nothing to prove . However I cant say there are too many that are currently bush pilots who have been 744 Captains yet ( and they still have to prove themselves in that arena) . Welcome to the career ladder !
If you are merely saying , that current Airline guys might find G/A a little challenging as its different to what they are " currently" doing. Sure I agree it might take a little while to get back into it. But its more than possible. Just as its possible for bush pilots etc to become 744 Captains etc.
There are many Airline Jocks who were bush pilots with thousands of hours of scud running / short field / charter/ relief opps / medevac/ floats/ bla bla bla. Sure they might not be current but have certainly demonstrated and do possess the ability.
They have nothing to prove . However I cant say there are too many that are currently bush pilots who have been 744 Captains yet ( and they still have to prove themselves in that arena) . Welcome to the career ladder !
If you are merely saying , that current Airline guys might find G/A a little challenging as its different to what they are " currently" doing. Sure I agree it might take a little while to get back into it. But its more than possible. Just as its possible for bush pilots etc to become 744 Captains etc.
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27
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From: Warm, sunny isle.
Scud...From your ill-thought post, you appear somewhat narrow-minded. 
I wish you well.
Vicky69...Porter Airlines is looking for DEC's... and have hired many with... believe it or not....experience equivalent or exceeding yours. I was tired of overseas, and have been pleasantly surprised with them on my return.
It may be worth a look. Good luck
I wish you well.Vicky69...Porter Airlines is looking for DEC's... and have hired many with... believe it or not....experience equivalent or exceeding yours. I was tired of overseas, and have been pleasantly surprised with them on my return.
It may be worth a look. Good luck
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Hey Scud
There are many Airline Jocks who were bush pilots with thousands of hours of scud running / short field / charter/ relief opps / medevac/ floats/ bla bla bla. Sure they might not be current but have certainly demonstrated and do possess the ability.
They have nothing to prove . However I cant say there are too many that are currently bush pilots who have been 744 Captains yet ( and they still have to prove themselves in that arena) . Welcome to the career ladder !
If you are merely saying , that current Airline guys might find G/A a little challenging as its different to what they are " currently" doing. Sure I agree it might take a little while to get back into it. But its more than possible. Just as its possible for bush pilots etc to become 744 Captains etc.
There are many Airline Jocks who were bush pilots with thousands of hours of scud running / short field / charter/ relief opps / medevac/ floats/ bla bla bla. Sure they might not be current but have certainly demonstrated and do possess the ability.
They have nothing to prove . However I cant say there are too many that are currently bush pilots who have been 744 Captains yet ( and they still have to prove themselves in that arena) . Welcome to the career ladder !
If you are merely saying , that current Airline guys might find G/A a little challenging as its different to what they are " currently" doing. Sure I agree it might take a little while to get back into it. But its more than possible. Just as its possible for bush pilots etc to become 744 Captains etc.
What I am merely saying is you won't get your foot even through the front door of smaller G/A operators. When I lost my job flying a 727 only a few years out of the bush I fired off a ton of Resumes and made lots of calls and I will Paraphrase the response I got a dozen times "I like your resume and you have all the time and would like to hire you but what happens when the airlines start hiring again? you are probably going to head back as soon as you can."
Obviously I assured them I would stick around and honour whatever time commitment they required, In the end I had to find work in the corporate world not nearly as fun but pays the bills.
Scud...From your ill-thought post, you appear somewhat narrow-minded. I wish you well.
Vicky69...Porter Airlines is looking for DEC's... and have hired many with... believe it or not....experience equivalent or exceeding yours. I was tired of overseas, and have been pleasantly surprised with them on my return.
It may be worth a look. Good luck
I wish you well.Vicky69...Porter Airlines is looking for DEC's... and have hired many with... believe it or not....experience equivalent or exceeding yours. I was tired of overseas, and have been pleasantly surprised with them on my return.
It may be worth a look. Good luck
However I cant say there are too many that are currently bush pilots who have been 744 Captains yet
Last edited by ScudRunner08; 24th February 2010 at 04:10.
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 370
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From: united arab emirates
Hi Scud
Ok , my misunderstanding. I thought you were saying its a "skills" issue. Now I see what you are saying. Its more one of perception , and of perhaps being in a position to jump ship. However many pilots in GA will also jump ship if thats where their aspirations lie.
By the way ,I would actually give both crucial parts of my anatomy to fly a King Air or similar for the right money back home. Any idea,s
? The sandpit is a lot worse than the fridge.
Ok , my misunderstanding. I thought you were saying its a "skills" issue. Now I see what you are saying. Its more one of perception , and of perhaps being in a position to jump ship. However many pilots in GA will also jump ship if thats where their aspirations lie.
By the way ,I would actually give both crucial parts of my anatomy to fly a King Air or similar for the right money back home. Any idea,s
? The sandpit is a lot worse than the fridge.
Joined: Jan 1998
Posts: 452
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From: Where the job is!
Quote: "By the way ,I would actually give both crucial parts of my anatomy to fly a King Air or similar for the right money back home. Any idea,s ? The sandpit is a lot worse than the fridge."
The grass is always greener elsewhere. This is apt as we do have visible grass in Canada for a few months a year (road repair season). However you should be very cautious and do your due diligence. The problem is that King Airs are operated by 703/704 air operators who tend to be of the bottom feeding type. They treat their pilots as dirt and ignore the terms and conditions of employment. In most cases King Air pilots are also poorly paid. Canadian aviation must have one of the lowest quality levels for "management" in all sectors of Canada's economy.
Take a look at the pay for this job for living in Calgary: AVCANADA • View topic - Air Partners That's why so many pilots live ten to a house with no furniture to split the costs and run clunker cars!
There are a very few exceptions, who tend to have low turnover as a result. You will have to identify them. You will then will be facing considerable competition to get hired as everyone else wants to work for these very few decent operators.
I know of several King Air pilots who have quit the industry in the past few months, mainly because of the poor quality of management. They had enough of the poor pay and abuse and have moved permanently to other careers.
The grass is always greener elsewhere. This is apt as we do have visible grass in Canada for a few months a year (road repair season). However you should be very cautious and do your due diligence. The problem is that King Airs are operated by 703/704 air operators who tend to be of the bottom feeding type. They treat their pilots as dirt and ignore the terms and conditions of employment. In most cases King Air pilots are also poorly paid. Canadian aviation must have one of the lowest quality levels for "management" in all sectors of Canada's economy.
Take a look at the pay for this job for living in Calgary: AVCANADA • View topic - Air Partners That's why so many pilots live ten to a house with no furniture to split the costs and run clunker cars!
There are a very few exceptions, who tend to have low turnover as a result. You will have to identify them. You will then will be facing considerable competition to get hired as everyone else wants to work for these very few decent operators.
I know of several King Air pilots who have quit the industry in the past few months, mainly because of the poor quality of management. They had enough of the poor pay and abuse and have moved permanently to other careers.
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 763
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From: out there somewhere...
Sadly, except for one or two operators, it was the same 30 years ago, and doesn't look like it's ever gonna change...but hey, on a good note it was a pretty good day in YVR for hockey, and more medals awarded to Canada...